BidCentral vs PlanHub

BidCentral is a web-based marketplace for finding and managing construction project opportunities. Users can search pre-bid, public, permit, and private listings, receive matched opportunities, and get project-update notifications. Its myPlanroom tools store project details and documents, track interested bidders, manage invitations, and provide audit-trail reporting. Invitation to Bid tools distribute documents and show bidding activity in real time. Users can post public or private projects and manage invitations, documents, addenda, site-meeting notices, and contractor communications. A British Columbia directory connects construction professionals with project owners and contractors seeking work. Premium adds Canada-wide ICI and residential permit listings, permit lead tracking, and a built-in permit CRM. The free Basic plan costs nothing and includes project viewing, a bid calendar, opportunity matching, a basic directory listing, and unlimited private and BidCentral project posts. Basic excludes advanced search, unlimited full project access, planroom documents, project update notifications, and Invitation to Bid tools. Premium costs $79 a month or $875 a year; association members receive a 40% discount on annual purchases.

PlanHub is a construction preconstruction platform for project discovery, bidding, takeoff, estimation, networking, and project management. Users can search opportunities by trade, location, keywords, and other criteria, and set alerts for relevant projects. General contractor tools include project posting, subcontractor invitations, bid management, bid leveling, and bid coverage. PlanHub also offers digital takeoff and estimation tools, and says its Estimation tool integrates with Takeoff. Its API can connect project information with external CRM, estimating, ERP, and business intelligence tools. Public and private planrooms provide spaces for storing and sharing project documents. A subcontractor mobile app is available for Android and iOS, alongside web and API access. PlanHub presents the platform to general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners and developers. General Contractor Essentials is free and includes project posting, bid management, and basic bid leveling; estimation is a paid add-on. Supplier free trials have limited project file downloads, while Pro includes unlimited downloads and broader directory access.